McKnight has an eye on ’08

Enormous expectations accompanied Joe McKnight when he arrived at USC last summer from Louisiana.

Fans envisioned the freshman running back as a consistent big-play threat. Coaches hoped McKnight would break out as a runner, pass-catcher and return man.

And McKnight anticipated a smooth transition to college football.

But on Thursday, McKnight expressed some disappointment with his performance and said he hoped to use Tuesday’s Rose Bowl against Illinois as a springboard to a more successful 2008 season.

“I didn’t really have a good season so I really hope this game helps it out, helps my confidence out for next year,” McKnight said.

McKnight, hobbled by a knee bruise during training camp, finished the regular season as the Trojans’ third-leading rusher, gaining 415 yards. He scored two touchdowns and averaged nearly five yards a carry.

He caught 12 passes, including one for a touchdown, and returned 16 punts.

Asked what part of his game was not up to par, McKnight cited fumbles.

“I put the ball on the ground too much this year. And [that] really should never happen,” he said.

McKnight looked sharp on several plays Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice because he was late returning from New Orleans. McKnight went to Disneyland with the team on Wednesday afternoon.

Asked about his travel problems, McKnight said, “I had showed up at the airport and everything was closed on Christmas Day so I had to catch a flight the next morning.” He added that a storm in Houston further delayed a connection and his return.

Coach Pete Carroll said McKnight had informed him of his travel problems.

“He couldn’t do anything about it. He couldn’t avoid it,” Carroll said.

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On a team that features several All-Americans, no USC player has started more games than snapper Will Collins.

The Rose Bowl will mark the 52nd consecutive start for the fifth-year senior from Laguna Beach.

“I remember sitting there as a freshman during our first team meeting and going, ‘Man, I don’t belong here,’ ” Collins said. “You come in as a long snapper, you’re kind of at the bottom of the barrel.”

Collins redshirted his first season, received a scholarship before the 2004 season and has played in every game since.

“It went by so fast, it’s like a blur,” Collins said. “I’m kind of bummed out and I don’t want it to end.

“Maybe I’ll have to change my identity and Social Security number and come back and play four or five more years.”

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Junior wide receiver Patrick Turner, who remains sidelined because of an injury, said he was scheduled to have an MRI examination on his right quadriceps but still hoped to play against Illinois.

“I’m going to practice, it’s just a matter of time,” Turner said.

Carroll, however, said he did not know if Turner could play in the Rose Bowl.

“We’re still wondering about how Patrick is going to bounce back,” he said.

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Running back Chauncey Washington (hip), linebacker Keith Rivers (ankle) and offensive lineman Chilo Rachal (knee) participated in all or most of the workout and appear on track to play. . . . The Trojans participated in the Lawry’s Beef Bowl on Thursday night.

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gary.klein@latimes.com